Jacques Cousteau Island facts for kids
Aerial view of Jacques Cousteau Island
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Gulf of California Baja California Sur |
| Coordinates | 24°13′17″N 109°52′14″W / 24.22139°N 109.87056°W |
| Area | 136 km2 (53 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Isla Cerralvo is an island off the coast of La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Its official name is Isla Jacques Cousteau. This island is located in the Gulf of California.
The island is about 18 kilometers (11 miles) long. It covers an area of about 136 square kilometers (53 square miles). This makes it the ninth-largest island in Mexico. The island is close to the towns of El Sargento and La Ventana. It is part of the Municipality of La Paz.
The highest point on the island is about 640 meters (2,100 feet) tall. A ridge runs from north to south across the island. Many small streams flow from this ridge. Some drain east into the Gulf of California. Others flow west into the Cupalo Canal. The eastern side of the island has many steep cliffs. The western side has many sandy beaches and points.
Amazing Sea Life
The waters around Isla Jacques Cousteau are full of marine life. This is because of the shape of the ocean floor and the strong ocean currents. Local fishing communities have traditionally used these waters for fishing. You can often see temporary fishing camps along the coast.
Almost all local marine animals travel past this island. The water here is very clear, sometimes up to 30 meters (100 feet) deep. This makes it a great spot for big game fishing. You can find many types of fish in the Cerralvo Canal. These include yellowtail, golden grouper, marlin, sailfish, and swordfish. There are also many other game fish and bait fish. The views from the island at dawn and sunset are very colorful and lively.
Why the Name Change?
On November 17, 2009, the Mexican government officially changed the island's name. It went from "Isla Cerralvo" to "Isla Jacques Cousteau". This was done to honor Jacques-Yves Cousteau (1910–1997). He was a famous French oceanographer. Cousteau led many ocean trips and studies in this area.
Local Concerns About the Name Change
The name change caused some upset among people living in nearby towns. These towns include El Sargento and La Ventana in Baja California Sur. They were not asked about the change. They want to keep the old name, "Isla Cerralvo." Many people in other parts of Mexico also support this idea.
Some Mexican senators asked for more information about the name change. Senators are elected officials who help make laws. They wanted to know how the government decided to change the name. Other senators have also asked for the name change to be reversed. Important Mexican thinkers, like Miguel León-Portilla, have also spoken against the new name.
See also
In Spanish: Isla Jacques Cousteau para niños
